Fire extinguisher



Nov. 13 1923.

P. G. M GREGOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1919 Nov. 13, 1923.

P. G. M GREGOR FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed July 22 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IETER GR FAG'LUEING COA'NY,

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Applieatibn filed July a2, 1919. Serialill'o. 312,564.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that PETER G. MACGREGQR, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city, county, and State of New York, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.v

This invention" relates to a pumping mechanism primarily designed for use in a portable or hand operated fire extinguisher, in which a valve mechanism operates in connection with a reciprocating piston. p

The present invention has for an object to provide a construction by means of which a continuous stream may'be discharged from the nozzle without fluctuations or interruptions as the piston changes its direction of movement.

A further object is to improve the valve and piston mechanisms to increase the sillciency and ease of operation of the pump.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages there-- of, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of my invention, and to the' appended claims in which the various novel features are more particularly set-forth.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a hand operated fire extinguisher embodying my invention.

- Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the pump mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverse 3--3 of Fig. 1.

' transverse section on the line section on the line Fig. l is a 4-4. of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse "section on tht line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 66of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig.2.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section 8-8 of- Fig. 6.

As here shown, my i nproved pump is embodied in a receptacle or casing 1 of cylinon the line drical shapewith rounded ends 2 and 3 andhaving a suitable filling opening closed by a cap 4, which may be provided withv a suitable air inlet valve.

Carried by the ends concentrically of the proper, comprising the pumpcylin er 5 2 and 3 and extending casing 1 is the amp having heads 6 and 7 journaled at l l and 15 in the receptacle. I Mounted on the forward end 2 of the casmg 1 is a nozzle iece v8 having a discharge orifice 9 in which 1s fixed the forward end of a tube 10, which extends rearwardly through the cylinder, and on which the forward head 6 of the pump cylinder is journaled', Within the cylinder 5 is a piston, to be further referred' to, which is operated by a hollow piston rod 11 which surrounds and is spaced from the tube 10 and forms a support for;

the rear head 7 of the pump cylinder, this 'rod 11 passing through a sleeve 12 carried by the end 3 of the receptacle or casing 1,

the plston rod 11 being secured at its outer end to a hollow handle 13.

The forward head 6 is recessed to receive. a packing ring 14:, which surrounds the tube 10, and the opposite head 7 and sleeve 12 are recessedto receive a packing ring 15, which surrounds the piston rod 11, these rings forming fluid tight joints while permitting the pump cylinder to revolve freely to posi-.

tion the intake valve device at the lower side of the receptacle 1, as will be explained hereinafter.

In the present embodiment the intake con trol valves are all located in an extension 16 on the forward pump cylinder head. and- Which is positioned under the forward portion of the pump cylinder, which extension I term a valve head.

A passage 17, (Fig. 2) extends completely through this valve head 16 longitudinally thereof, the passage being enlarged near its 0p osite 'ends to provide seats 18 and 19 for bal valves 20 and 21, respectively, the enlarged portions 22 and 23 being of trefoil shape in cross'section (Fig. 5), thus holding the balls 20 and 21 in alinementwith their seats while permitting free passage of the liquid when the balls are awa from their seats. The opposite ends of this passage 17 are closed by discs 24: and. 25, the trefoil spaces 22 and 23 forming valve chambers, as willhe apparent. it spacer bar is slidably carried in the passage 17 and comprises a pair of triangular a diminished central portion 27.

A portBO leads through the valvehead 16 into the valve chamber 22, thus being the intake port from the forward end of the rece tacle to the pump cylinder:- A. port 31 leads horizontally thrpugh the rear end hi the end members 26 united by imity to the casing 1. This pipe forms the inlet to the pump cylinder from the rea end of the receptacle 1.

A pair of passages 33 and 34 lead up- -wardly from the passage 17 adjacent the valve chambers 22and 23 and are in communication respectively with the front and rear ends, of the pump cylinder, as will be pointed out. These passages widen out to form seats 35 and 36 for ball valves 37 and 38, which act to prevent back flow from the pump cylinder, the upper ends of the passages being closedby discs 39 and 40 and the spaces between these discs and the seats 35 and 36 constituting valve chambers 41 and 42..

Fro-m the valve chamber 41 passage 43 leads forwardly and communicates with an opening 44 in the forward end of the pump cylinder. From the chamber 42 a port 45 (Figs. 6-8) leads horizontally to the rear end of the head 16, this chamber 42 being of trefoil shape in cross section, the port 45 being at one side thereof and communicating with one of the branches thereof. A pipe 46 is inserted at its. forward end into this port 45 (Fig. 8) and extends to the rear end of the pump cylinder (Fig. 2), where it is upturned, as at 46', to lead into the latter.

Referring now to the construction of the pump piston (Fig. 2), a barrel 50 is attached at one end of a hollow piston rod 11, this barrel having an outwardly projecting flange 51 between its ends and the rear end of the' barrel bearing on a lock collar 52 screwed on the piston rod 11.

A packing ring 53, of suitable material, is mounted on the barrel 50 in front of the flange 51, being carried on a bushing 54 having a. rear flange 55 which abuts against the flange 51 and retained in place by the flange 56 of a sleeve 57 screwed into the forward end of the barrel 50.

The inner end of this sleeve 57 forms a seat for a spoolshaped valve 58 slidably mounted on the tube 10 and having limited movement between the end of the sleeve 57 and the piston rod 11. To provide a permanent opening or port between the inner end of the hollow piston rod 11 and the spool 58 this end of the piston rod 11 is formed with inwardly and forwardly projecting prongs 59, against which the spool 58 engages while the adjacent end of (Fig. 5).

Between the flange 51 of the barrel 50'and the collar 52 is located a sliding valve of the spool may-be flattened at its sides, as at 60 liquid from the cylinder space in the rear of the piston to the hollow piston rod 11, this passage being closed when the valve ring is in contact with the collar 52. The port- 63 extends to the flange 51 to provide an opening or passage for the liquid into the space between flange and valve ring.

A hollow handle 13 is attached to the outer end of the hollow piston rod 11 and in the shank of the handle 13 is a stopper 66 of felt or like material which is enclosed in a cup 67 having exterior ribs 68 (Figs. 2-4) whereby it is slidably guided in the handle. The stopper 66 is held against the end of the tube 10 by a spring 69 when the parts are in the closed position as shown in Fig. 2. The forward movement of the stopper when the handle and piston rod are withdrawn is limited by the adjacent end of the piston rod 11, which is formed with inwardly inclined prongs 70 similar to the prongs 59 on the other end thereof. 7

When the handle 13 is pushed forward to its closed position the tube 10 extends slightly beyond the piston rod 11, the stopper 66 closing the end of the tube 10. To hold the handle in this position when the pump is not in use it is provided with a pair of out-turned quadrantal flanges '71 which engage under complementary inturned quadrantal flanges 72 on a disc 73 fixed to the sleeve 12 attached to this end of the receptacle 3. j

My improved pump operates as follows Referring first to the action of the valve mechanism, since the pump cylinder 5 is free to revolve around its axis, the weight of the valve head 16- will cause the latter to automatically position itself toward the lower side of the receptacle 3 when held at an angle from the vertical.

When the pump is held at an angle from the horizontal with the nozzle pointing down, the ball valve 20 drops away from its seat 18 and the ball 21 seats on its seat 19, this action being reversed when the nozzle is pointed upward. As the valve chamber 22 in which valve 20 is located communicates with the forward end of the pump cylinder, and the valve chamber 23 in which valve 21 is located, with the rear end of the pump cylinder, a passage will always be open from the lower portion of the receptacle 3 to ia'zaaoai valve chamber 41 (lifting valve 37 from its 'seat) and passage 43--44, the liquid entering passage 17 either through the port 30 and valve chamber 22 or through the pipe .32. and valve chamber 23, according to which end of the receptacle is lowest.

While the piston is retracting it discharges the liquid drawn in on theprevious advancing stroke (this advancing stroke drawing in liquid from passage 17 through passage 34, valve chamber 42 and pipe 46 into the rear end of the pump cylinder).

The rearward movement of the piston causes the spool valve 58 to seat on the sleeve 57 and close the passage through the piston to the forward end thereof, while the ring valve 61-62, engaging against the flange 51, uncovers ports 63 and 64, thus providing a passage from the rear end of the pump cylinder through the piston and into the hollow piston rod 11 and tube 10,- the liquid in the rear end of the cylinder being forced out through this passage as the piston moves rearwardly and the valve 38 preventing back flow from the pump cylinder to the receptacle.

When the piston advances spool valve 58 and ring valve 62 are moved (relatively) backwardly, against the pronged end 59 of the piston rod 11 and the collar 52, respectively, closing communication between the rear end of the pump cylinder and the hollow piston rod 11 and opening the passage through the sleeve 57 and piston barrel 50 into the piston rod 11, the liquid in front of'the piston in the piston cylinder being forced through this passage as the piston advances. I

At each stroke of the piston the liquid coming through the piston rod' 11 presses against a cushion of air trapped in an air chamber provided in the hollow handle 13 and compresses it somewhat, with the result that this cushion of air exerts an expelling pressure on the liquid during the momentary halt of the piston at each end of the stroke, resulting in a. discharge of a continuous and unbroken stream through the tube 10 and nozzle opening 9 as the piston is reciprocated. In order to provide an air chamber in all positions of the extinguisher, the handle 13 is hollow and is provided with the hollow shank in which stopper 66 operates and forming an extension of the tube 11.- The handle 13 is concaved inwardly and convexed outwardly, the shank portion ent ering the handle at the center ofthe concaved portion. It will readily be apparent that, regardless of the position in which the extinguisher is held, some'portion of the handle cavity will extendabove the opening leading to tubes 10 and 11. Liquid may thus enter said handleiduring the pumping operation, the liguid displacing-the air until said liquid lls the handle to a point above the opening leading to tubes 10 and 11, and thereafter compressing the air, which is thus trapped after the liquid seals said opening,--in the portion or portions of the handle above the opening.

I have found that with the present arrangement and with 'a proper exposed area of the ports 63' and 64 I obtain an equalization of the stream discharged on the forward and rearward strokes of the piston and that the action is extremely easy and smooth.

What I claim is 1-- 1. A pump comprising'a'cylinder, a piston mounted therein and having a chamber provided with a valve seat, a discharge member extending'through said chamber, a valve slidably mounted within said chamber upon said discharge member and adapted for engaging said seat, and a hollow piston rod connected to said piston and establish ing communication between said chamber and said discharge member.

2. A pump comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted therein and having a chamber provided with a va-lveseat, a discharge member extending through said chamber, a valve slidably mounted within said chamber upon said discharge member and adapted for engaging said seat, and a hollow piston rod connected to said piston and establishing communication between said chamber and said discharge member, the. forward portion of said hollow piston rod being provided with projections engaging said valve whereby constant communication is maintained between said chamber and said hollow piston rod.

3. In a pump, a pump cylinder, a hollow piston rod, a chambered piston attached to said piston rod, said piston :comprising a barrel and a packing ring surrounding the forward portion thereof, a discharge tube leading through the said piston and. piston rod, a sleeve carried by said barrel surrounding and spaced from said tube and having a valve seat'at one end thereof, a valve slidable on the tube adapted to engage said seat when the piston moves rear- Wardly, said barrel having a port formed in the rear portion of the wall thereof communicating with the space in the rear of the piston, and a one-way ring valve slidable upon said rear portion of the pie ton barrel and adapted to close said port when the piston moves forwardly.

4. In a ump having a discharge orifice.

a pump cy mder, a piston therein, a hollow piston rod, means providing a passage through said hollow piston rod to the discharge orifice of the pump, and an air chamber connected to (said piston rod and so formed that a portion thereof is always above the opening leading to said piston rod, so that liquid passing through said rod may displace air in said chamber until said opening leading to said piston rod is sealed, the remaining air in said chamber being compressed and exerting expelling force between the strokes of the piston.

5. A pump comprising a cylinder, a piston slidable therein and provided with a chamber opening out through one end and having ports in the sides thereof, the said open end of said chamber being provided with a valve seat, a valve disposed within said chamber and adapted for engaging said valve seat, a discharge member extending through said chamber and slidably supporting said valve, a hollow piston rod connected to said piston and having constant communication with said chamber, and a second valve surrounding said ports.

6. In a pump having a discharge orifice, a pump cylinder, a piston therein, a hollow piston rod, means providing a passage through said hollow piston rod to the discharge orifice of the pump, and a handle fixed to said piston rod andzhavlng an air chamber therein in communication with said hollow piston rod, said air chamber being so formed that a portion 'thereof is always abovethe opening leading to said piston rod,

' so that liquid passing through said rod may enter said handle ,and displace air in said chamber until the opening leading to the piston rod is sealed, the remaining air in said chamber being compressed and exerting expelling force between the strokes of the piston.

7. In a pump having a discharge orifice, a pump cylinder, a piston therein,-a hollow piston rod, means providing a passage through said hollow piston rod to the discharge orifice of the pump, and a handle concaved inwardly and having an opening communicating with said piston rod, said opening being positioned at substantially the center of the concaved portion, said handle being hollow to form and air chamber which will have a portion thereof above said opening in 'all positions of the pump due to the shape of said handle, so that liquid passing through said rod may displace air in said chamber until the opening leading to said piston rod is sealed, the remaining air in said chamber being compressed and exerting expelling force between the strokes of I the piston.

Signed at the city, county and State of New York, this 16 day of July 1919.

PETER GRAHAM MAQGREGOR. 

